Yunfeng sat frozen on the sofa, feeling like a hapless animal caught in the sights of a hungry predator.
His mom prowled around him, pacing like a lioness on the hunt, her back scratcher held at the ready like a weapon.
With each step, she exuded an aura of fury that could only spell trouble for him.
Oh god!!! Someone help… He cast a desperate glance at Hana, who was lounging on the armrest with a cheeky grin, twirling a strand of her hair.
She just stuck her tongue out at him playfully.
Great, my sister's about as useful as a screen door on a submarine, he looked away with a sigh. Guess I'll have to use my diplomatic skills to win her over.
He cleared his throat, adopting the most serious expression he could muster. "Mom, I wish to tell my side of the story before you jump to any wild conclusions," he declared, trying to sound confident despite the quivering in his voice. "We just went there to rest. Seriously, nothing happened!"
As he lied, he felt a sharp ache in his back, like the universe itself was rebuking him for his dishonesty. He quickly adjusted his sitting position, trying to appear more convincing. "Nothing happened at all."
"Is that so?" his mother's cold voice only made his heart race faster.
Yunfeng dared not look up. He focused on the intricate pattern of the carpet, praying for a distraction. Maybe if I stare at this for long enough, I'll fall into a black hole and escape this nightmare.
Suddenly, his mom placed her phone in front of him. "Then explain this," she said, a dangerous glint in her eyes.
Yunfeng gulped, feeling a wave of dread wash over him.
He hesitantly glanced at the screen.
There it was—a photo of Muchen from that very morning, looking like a snack in his plain black T-shirt.
The shirt hugged his shoulders, and as he turned to look back at the him, his neck was extended slightly, making the hickeys poking out of the neckline pop out like vibrant red cherries.
It was as if they were practically waving at Yunfeng, saying, Guess what happened last night?
"Look at that!" his mom exclaimed. "What do you call that? A fashion statement?"
Yunfeng's heart raced. He nearly hiccuped in panic, his mouth falling open in horror. "Uhhh…"
"'Nothing happened,' huh?" His mom leaned in closer. "Does that look like nothing to you?"
He stared at the photo, feeling like he was about to burst into flames.
Muchen's neck, the hickeys a shocking contrast against his fair skin, the marks boldly announcing their escapades.
Oh man, why did he have to wear that shirt? Yunfeng thought.
He could practically hear Muchen's casual laugh echoing in his head, the way he always seemed to charm his way out of trouble. But now, there was no escaping the truth.
As if reading his thoughts, his mom pulled down the collar of his own shirt ever so slightly, revealing a matching set of hickeys on his neck.
"'Nothing happened,' right?" she taunted, her tone dripping with mock sweetness.
"Mooooommm…" Yunfeng whined, throwing her his best pitiful look, hoping it would soften her heart. But all he got in return was an arched eyebrow and a knowing smirk.
"Oh, don't you 'Mom' me, young man!" she shot back. "Those things don't just appear out of thin air!"
"Okay, okay! I get it!" he protested, desperation creeping into his voice. "But really, we were just watching a movie!" he lied once again.
"Right. A movie. The kind that puts you to sleep with your mouth wide open and leaves hickeys as souvenirs?" She laughed incredulously, shaking her head. "What kind of movie were you watching, 'How to Leave Marks on Your Neck 101'?"
Yunfeng cringed at the mental image. "Mom, it's not like that!" he insisted, waving his hands around as if he could physically dispel her disbelief. "I promise, nothing happened!"
"Do you think I'm stupid?" she challenged, her arms crossed as she eyed him with a mix of disbelief and amusement. "Because let me tell you, if I'm going to be lied to, I prefer it to be about something less ridiculous!"
He threw his head back dramatically. "Fine we had sex!!"
"Lin Yunfeng! Do you know what you have done!" she scremaed in fury.
Yunfeng trembled slightly. "I know."
"what the hell were you thinking! your college exams are so close yet you! You don't take anything seriously do you! In the most important time if you life you go chasing after starts and sleeping around with them!"
Yunfeng snapped up. "he is not just a star! He is my boyfriend and so what, I had sex with him. Big deal it wont make me any less of a person!"
"you are barely twenty! You are just a child while he is a dull grown adult!"
"he is just five years older mom! And what is wrong with having sex huh? Don't everyone have sex!" he snapped back.
His mom panted in fury. "not when you are this young! How could you make such a mistake. I raised you well. I taught you well."
Tears prickled his eyes at this. "how is that a mistake. I love him and we made love. What is wrong with that… why is that so wrong?"
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. She gently cupped his face. "Yunfeng you still don't understand…" her fingers gently caressed him. "he is an actor… he.. he would have a pick of anyone he likes. Yunfeng… he is just playing with you to sleep with you. Don't you get it."
"no! he loves me!" Yunfeng snapped back. But his mon words ate at his soul. Muchen was a actor and he was young and loved by many. He… he would have many suitors. He was just a mediocre person he met along the way. "he… he loves me…"